Rick's Blog
Mon 3rd December 2012 | Rick Bailey Blog | By Ian Templeman
I’ll be playing a league fixture against Alsager Town when the FA Vase resumes this weekend, following Congleton Town’s defeat to AFC Emley earlier in the competition.
Our early exit from the Vase allows us to concentrate on the league but I will feel a tinge of jealousy when I think of the North West Counties teams preparing for the Third Round.
I always keep an eye out for my former team’s results and I’m delighted that Winsford United, who I played for last season, are still in the competition. I still know a few of the lads as well as assistant manager Kevin Bircumshaw, and I hope they can continue their progress in the Vase.
They couldn’t have asked for a much tougher draw, as they face fellow North West Counties high flyers Runcorn Town, and I know they would have preferred to face a team from another league. That might sound strange, but from my own experiences, teams I have played for always seemed to raise our game when we ventured into the unknown.
There is something exciting about playing at a new ground whereas Winsford and Runcorn will know all about each other, and could end up cancelling each other out.
One Winsford player in particular is more determined than most to reach Wembley. Striker Andy Hurst is a proven goalscorer in this league with Congleton, Glossop North End and now Winsford, and has scored 6 goals in the Vase this season.
Andy had the chance to join me at Glossop during the Vase run to Wembley but decided to stay at Congleton – I’ve never let him live it down. “All the lads are talking about the Vase and with each round it gets more exciting,” Andy told me.
“I’m well up for it and, if I’m honest, it still hurts that I missed the Glossop Wembley trip. Kev keeps promising us new training gear or kitbags from the prize money but we’re still waiting. However, it’s only the last 64 so we’re not getting too carried away”.
Having taken a point off Runcorn Town earlier in the season Hursty knows it’ll be a tough ask to reach the last 32. “Runcorn Town isn’t the easiest of draws but we can’t complain as we’re at home,” he added. “We drew with them in the league but I thought we edged it so I’m fairly confident we can get the win. Our manager still wants to concentrate on the league, but for me getting to Wembley would beat winning the title”.
In the other games involving North West Counties teams, I would back Barnoldswick to beat AFC Emley. We lost 1-0 to the Huddersfield-based outfit in the first round but I wasn’t that impressed with them and Barnoldswick should prove too strong.
Norton United have the toughest test, with a home draw against holders Dunston UTS. Dunston are one of the favourites for the competition but they will not fancy the long trip down to Staffordshire.
Finally, Wigan Robin Park travel to Walsall Woods. Wigan were unbeaten in three games before they lost to Padiham on Saturday and, despite probably knowing little about their Midlands opponents, they will go into the game confident of progressing.
Good luck to all the North West Counties teams for this weekend.
Rick Bailey
Rick's Blog
Mon 3rd December 2012 | Rick Bailey Blog
By Ian Templeman
I’ll be playing a league fixture against Alsager Town when the FA Vase resumes this weekend, following Congleton Town’s defeat to AFC Emley earlier in the competition.
Our early exit from the Vase allows us to concentrate on the league but I will feel a tinge of jealousy when I think of the North West Counties teams preparing for the Third Round.
I always keep an eye out for my former team’s results and I’m delighted that Winsford United, who I played for last season, are still in the competition. I still know a few of the lads as well as assistant manager Kevin Bircumshaw, and I hope they can continue their progress in the Vase.
They couldn’t have asked for a much tougher draw, as they face fellow North West Counties high flyers Runcorn Town, and I know they would have preferred to face a team from another league. That might sound strange, but from my own experiences, teams I have played for always seemed to raise our game when we ventured into the unknown.
There is something exciting about playing at a new ground whereas Winsford and Runcorn will know all about each other, and could end up cancelling each other out.
One Winsford player in particular is more determined than most to reach Wembley. Striker Andy Hurst is a proven goalscorer in this league with Congleton, Glossop North End and now Winsford, and has scored 6 goals in the Vase this season.
Andy had the chance to join me at Glossop during the Vase run to Wembley but decided to stay at Congleton – I’ve never let him live it down. “All the lads are talking about the Vase and with each round it gets more exciting,” Andy told me.
“I’m well up for it and, if I’m honest, it still hurts that I missed the Glossop Wembley trip. Kev keeps promising us new training gear or kitbags from the prize money but we’re still waiting. However, it’s only the last 64 so we’re not getting too carried away”.
Having taken a point off Runcorn Town earlier in the season Hursty knows it’ll be a tough ask to reach the last 32. “Runcorn Town isn’t the easiest of draws but we can’t complain as we’re at home,” he added. “We drew with them in the league but I thought we edged it so I’m fairly confident we can get the win. Our manager still wants to concentrate on the league, but for me getting to Wembley would beat winning the title”.
In the other games involving North West Counties teams, I would back Barnoldswick to beat AFC Emley. We lost 1-0 to the Huddersfield-based outfit in the first round but I wasn’t that impressed with them and Barnoldswick should prove too strong.
Norton United have the toughest test, with a home draw against holders Dunston UTS. Dunston are one of the favourites for the competition but they will not fancy the long trip down to Staffordshire.
Finally, Wigan Robin Park travel to Walsall Woods. Wigan were unbeaten in three games before they lost to Padiham on Saturday and, despite probably knowing little about their Midlands opponents, they will go into the game confident of progressing.
Good luck to all the North West Counties teams for this weekend.
Rick Bailey
